Lawyers in the Murray trial to meet with judge

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael E. Pastor will meet with lawyers Thursday to clear up any last issues before the final phase of jury selection starts next week.

Murray's lawyers and the prosecutors are busy this week studying what 145 potential jurors wrote on a 33-page questionnaire designed to help them chose the jury that will hear the case.

The process is designed to find 18 Los Angeles County residents (12 jurors and six alternates) qualified to sit in judgment of Murray.

The questionnaire is being used to determine if the potential jurors can put aside biases and what they've heard about the case to reach a fair verdict. Lawyers will question them about their answers when they return to court September 23.

Lawyers of both sides will study answers to the jury questionnaire to determine which potential jurors have already made up their minds about Murray's guilt or innocence.

Last week, Murray's team failed to convince Judge Michael Pastor, as well as the Second District Court of Appeals, to shelter jurors from trial media coverage by keeping them sequestered in a hotel for the duration of the trial.

The Los Angeles coroner has ruled that the death was caused by an overdose of the surgical anesthetic Propofol, combined with other drugs.

Prosecutors dispute to Murray to have used a makeshift IV drip to administer Propofol intended to help Jackson sleep, a practice that violated the standard of care. Then to have not properly monitored him with adequate equipments and to have left the room to speak on the phone.

If convicted on the involuntary manslaughter charge, Murray could face up to four years in prison.

Opening statements for the trial, which will be televised, are scheduled for September 27. The judge told the jury pool he expects their service will be over on or about October 28.

MJFS - source: cnn.com